By Bob McGee. After three consecutive years of operating losses, Mizuno generated a small profit of approximately $1.45 million in the Americas in FY18 despite a 13.5 percent topline decline to the equivalent $162.9 million.Read the full story here.

By Bob McGee. Rockford, MI-based Wolverine Worldwide saw total Q1 revenues slip less than 1 percent to $523.4 million as the period operating margin fell to 10.0 percent from 12.0 percent. Read the full story here.

By Jennifer Ernst Beaudry. San Rafael, CA-based comfort brand Vionic has added two members to its executive team, naming Jerry Williamson SVP of global sales and Angela Caltagirone SVP of digital and brand marketing. Read the full story here.

FOOTWEAR INSIGHT INDEX

Thanks to higher tariff talk, the segment failed to outperform the Dow for the two weeks ending May 13, declining more than 5.7 percent over the period compared to a 1.0 percent drop for DJIA. Eight stocks fell double-digits, led by Wolverine, Crocs and GEOX….After being a strong performer last period, Steve Madden is hammered a bit this time around…Cowen & Co. predicts SHOO and Skechers’ customers may see a 10-15 percent price hike at certain retailers due to higher tariffs on China-made merchandise, and Piper Jaffray downgraded SHOO shares to neutral, lowering their price target to $32 due to the brand’s reliance on China-sourced products….Deckers, slated to report Q3 results on May 23, wins an “UGG’ trademark battle with Australian Leather and a $450,000 verdict…. Nike is introducing NikeFit at all of its retail locations in July. Developed by Tel Aviv-based Invertex, which The Swoosh acquired last year, the AR technology allows for measurement of the foot via a mobile device scan…Puma is automating its digital marketing platform with a number of features, including integration of the local language and the providing of local inventory levels for a particular style… Asics North America realized a 4.2 percent increase in Q1 revenues; Mizuno posted an operating profit for its Americas’ business for the first time in four years; and Wolverine’s Saucony brand fell at a mid-teens rate in Q1 despite exceeding plan with the softness blamed on the core technical running segment. — Bob McGee

The Footwear Insight Index tracks 20 of the most important publicly traded companies that have a substantial footwear business (6 retailers, 14 brands).